As we age, the joints in our body, including in our neck, can become damaged and not work as efficiently as they once did. Bone starts rubbing against bone when the joints become worn out and calcium deposits can form in our neck. That's when you will begin to hear grinding and crunches noises emanating from your neck.

Neck Extensors

Tension can crop up in the back of your neck, where neck joints can become compressed. You may hear crunching sounds coming from the back of your neck when you move your head because of the compression.

Exercise

To exercise neck extensors, lower your head to the front. Your chin should be touching your chest. Hold this position for as long as is comfortable and then release. Doing this exercise will stretch the structure located at the back of the cervical spine. These structures are often held in a tight position throughout the day while you work, which can cause them to shorten and prevent the neck from moving naturally, according to the Physiotherapysite.co.uk

Joints

Neck pain can be caused by muscle tightness, which will distort the neck joint. Gently stretching your neck will help ease the muscle tension. If your neck muscles are weak, you need to improve the nerve and blood supply to your neck muscles, which exercising will do. When the joints in your neck aren’t moving freely, you may hear grinding and crunches noises.

Sterno-Cleido-Mastoid Muscle

The sterno-cleido-mastoid (SCM) muscle is the muscle that causes individuals the most grief. To stretch the SCM, turn your head to one side as far as possible. Minor discomfort, crunching and grinding sounds or pulling of muscles will be felt, but do not push it the point where you are in pain. You should use your hands to help turn and stabilize your head. Reverse and look the other way. Do this gently.

Outcome

Exercising your neck should eliminate some of your neck pain, as well as the grinding sounds, as well as improve your hearing, sleep, vitality and vision. It should also reduce the likelihood that you will suffer from a headache.

References

About the Author

Cindi Pearce is a graduate of Ohio University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in journalism. She completed both the undergraduate and graduate courses offered by the Institute of Children’s Literature. Pearce has been writing professionally for over 30 years.